Dmx Cable Vs Xlr

Xlr or dmx cable excellent qs and as here.

Dmx cable vs xlr. This was done for 2 reasons 1 to distinguish the cables from audio xlr and 2 to leave the last 2 pins open for future expansion. Dmx and xlr cabling both use twisted pair. An analog xlr cable is not rated at 120 ohms. The odds of degradation or total signal loss can also increase based on the distance of the cable the number of connections used and how many of those connections are xlr vs.

Using xlr and dmx together will not damage your equipment but signal degradation is likely. On the flipside you could theoretically use a dmx cable as a microphone cable. Just the fact that both dmx and xlr are shielded twisted pair doesn t make it 100 interchangable. Though dmx cables and xlr cables are often both three pin cables and look the same they should not be used interchangeably especially along longer cable runs.

Without the proper twist rate of internal conductors the xlr cable is will not break the induction loops causing crosstalk and the data to fail. That capacitive difference can make a real difference. I will guarantee you that you ll hear a difference if you put a mic on a dmx cable in the concept of squashy and rolled off especially in the highs. If you re really in a pinch you can substitute a dmx cable for audio use but you cannot use xlr cable for lighting use.

Since dmx cables are sending more data 512 channels of values between 0 255 they are far more sensitive to cable impedance. We try to use the correct cable but due to the number of lamps now sporting only 3 pin sockets do get them mixed up on occasions. Though some people attest to the interchangeability o. The dmx standard was designed with 5 pin xlr cable as the connection for data.

So transferring data may experience some interruptions such as strobing or flickering lights since the cable can t transfer the necessary voltage. Cat5 6 has a higher twist rate than dmx and so is as reliable as dmx. Dmx cables and xlr cables are engineered to handle different types of information at different impedance. Audio cables and lighting cables have different impedance resistance.